I know what it’s like to go back to your hometown after leaving for a number of years and feel like you didn’t want to be there. Theresa deals with this, on a different level, in Jeff Lemire‘s Minor Arcana. Lemire dive’s into the world of the tarot, magic and a mother-daughter relationship in his new on-going series.

Theresa, the daughter of a small-town psychic fraud, returns home to care for her ailing mother, however begrudgingly. But when Theresa discovers that there may be more to the magic than she originally believed, she’ll find herself caught up in a town that desperately needs her help…

Jeff Lemire has a keen ability to create comics that draw us in. With Minor Arcana, things are no different. The character development in this new on-going series is truly exceptional. Theresa is a character I related to on a personal level with her flaws, strengths and a journey back home. Her strained relationship with her mother adds an extra layer of depth to the story, make it feel a bit more real and emotional. I became invested in their story only a few pages into the first issue.

The pacing in Minor Arcana #1 is also well-executed, setting up the plot for future issues with ease. Lemire’s writing kept me on my toes, eager to see what direction the book would head. An extra-length opening chapter allowed for me to throughly get introduced Theresa, her mother and the magic of it all. Theresa doesn’t want all of this, but you can truly tell she wants to help.

While I have never really be a huge fan of Lemire’s artwork, it undeniably suits the tone of Minor Arcana perfectly. His unique lines and dull colors bring a sense of melancholy to each page, enhancing the overall atmosphere the series. Add to the unique art style, Steve Wands‘ lettering and you get a visually attractive story that moves you from panel to panel.

Jeff Lemire’s Minor Arcana #1 is a story with emotion, relationships, magic and more. It has an engaging story with characters I want to learn more about and boasts a unique art style making it a real Jeff Lemire story. I am excited to see the magic of it all in future issues of this series and get to see what really is going on in Theresa’s hometown. Minor Arcana spoke to me and I am listening.

Minor Arcana #1 hits local comic shops on September 4, 2024 from BOOM! Studios.